Chapmans is proud to announce that our Principal Michael O'Brien has recently been awarded a 30 year achievement award from the Tax Institute.

Recognised as a leading body for the Australian tax industry, the Tax Institute is committed to the continuous improvement of the tax system, through the advancement of knowledge, member support and advocacy. Michael is a designated fellow and chartered tax adviser with the Taxation Institute.

With almost 12,000 members Australia-wide, this recognition is testament to Michael's ongoing commitment to the tax profession and his clients.

Over the past 30 years, Michael's membership has allowed him to keep up-to-date with new tax legislation, which has become more complex since the Tax Act of 1976. He's seen huge changes to the tax field, from the introduction of Capital Gains Tax to the West Traders' Scheme.

With a background as a financial controller, Michael's unique perspective allows him to take a holistic approach to his clients' accounting needs. Michael's membership with the Tax Institute has also enabled him to connect and collaborate with specialists in the field, which has seen Chapmans expand the services we offer to our clients.

‘I'm a listener, so I want to know about my clients' unique circumstances and hear any questions or concerns they have... If I don't have the answer for them, I'll make sure I find it. Sometimes that means reaching out to contacts I've made through the tax institutes and running reports on that specific area of concern.'

For Michael, anticipating the changing needs of his clients also means keeping his finger on the pulse when it comes to world news and global issues.

‘With the advancements in medical technologies causing life expectancy to grow, planning for retirement is becoming more and more important,' says Michael. ‘Young people are going to live well past the age of 100, so trying to anticipate what the future of work – and retirement – looks like is an interesting challenge when it comes to accounting and personal finances.'

When asked about his favourite of the job, Michael said ‘For me, job satisfaction is about helping people as best as I can.'

‘I'm a man with strong family values. I try my best to help people however I can… [This has meant that] I've had clients for 30 years, and we've built up great friendships.'